Toledo's advice may be easier said than done, though, with the improvements the Tigers have displayed defensively this season.

"All he has to do is just manage the game, " Toledo said. "You don't have to make the spectacular plays. Just manage the game and don't make any stupid-type mistakes.

"Don't throw interceptions. Don't fumble the ball. Don't do anything stupid, but you don't have to go out and win the football game. That's the biggest thing. Throw to the guys you're supposed to and get rid of the ball quickly."

Griffin said he prides himself on staying even-keeled and emotionless. He understands, though, his nerves will be put through the grinder Saturday night.

"They're big, fast, physical, " Griffin said. "They probably have eight future first-round picks on that side of the ball. It's not a matter of our scheme. You just know who you are playing. You've got to have good timing and be accurate. If you don't, it's going to be pick-six city. Or you're going to get a sack, and it's going to hurt."

Unfortunately for Griffin, he already knows how much sacks hurt. Griffin was sacked six times last week by the Golden Eagles. He ended up 21-of-33 passing for 158 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Another road test isn't the most ideal situation for a freshman quarterback. Yet Griffin is relishing the challenge.

"It's tough, but when you get the (starting) job, you hope for the challenges like this, " Griffin said. "You've only got so many shots, especially in a game like this. It's reality, and you hope you can make the most of it."

Toledo really didn't have the luxury of waiting for a home game to put Griffin into the lineup, as the Green Wave only has one home game remaining.

"Let him go and see what he could do, " Toledo said. "There's always going to be pressure, but you've got to find out if they can play. With the exception of one bad pass (against Southern Miss), he did a pretty good job.

"He pretty much knows what he's doing. He's got a pretty good grasp of the offense. He's a bright guy. Every once in a while he'll throw a helicopter ball. It spins funny. For the most part he gets it out of there and throws to the right guy. He's fairly accurate."

Players often talk about the game slowing down with the more experience they gain. Griffin admits some aspects of playing quarterback are still moving at light speed.

"It's still pretty fast, especially this week with LSU, " Griffin said. "It's definitely not going to slow down this week. In terms of everything as a whole, everything is not so hectic. At first it was like, 'Oh gosh. What a rush.' "

Tulane's offensive line hasn't been healthy. The Green Wave will likely be without center Andrew Nierman, who injured his hamstring last weekend at Southern Miss.

It may be the worst time for Tulane to have offensive line issues with the Tigers looming.

"We've got to throw the ball quicker, " Toledo said. "We don't take a lot of long drops anyway, but we've got to get rid of the football better. We've got to protect better. Sometimes we're going to have to chip guys as they are going out.

"No. 84 (Rahim Alem) is a great pass rusher. So if you don't block him with a tackle and chip him on your way out, he may get to us. We've just got to change up our protections."